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Ask a Gardening QuestionGarden Design: Garden Design QuestionsConifer Trees

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Conifer Trees

#1 · 17th March 2024, 11:56 am

Good morning all,

I have moved to a house with roughly 25 feet high conifer trees and have no experience with them before. but the base beneath them seems to have been removed quite abit presumably when leaves etc take up from beneath. (Below grass level)

I was just wondering is there anything I can put down to replenish this or just normal soil? Also anything to help them grow thicker?

thanks

#2 · 17th March 2024, 12:21 pm

Hi @davidw

Welcome to the Garden Ninja Gardening Forum! Can you please post a few pictures so we can all advise?

Thanks

#3 · 17th March 2024, 10:09 pm

Can kind of see from photo attached, it drops quite abit towards edge of grass (which I know it’s meant to) but it’s just had top layer of soil taken off constantly when leaves and debris removed.

can normal soil be added ok on top? Or anything specific to add?

also anything to help them grow?

thankd

Uploaded files:

#4 · 18th March 2024, 9:28 am

Hi @davidw

Thanks for the image. Conifer trees are very needy in terms of moisture, so they will quickly dry out the soil beneath and around them. Your Conifers look healthy and I wouldn't recommend feeding them as they will simply put on surges of growth that can be hard to prune.

This is because you can't cut back into old wood with Conifers, as they do not regenerate. They only regenerate (grow back) from green, flexible young wood. So, for the most part, you don't want them to grow too vigorously! You can read more on Conifer pruning here.

What I would do is use topsoil to lift the level up. I wouldn't use garden compost as this will just overfeed the conifers, which you don't want. You may also want to consider using some wood chips to cover the surface to stop weeds and keep moisture in! Don't bury the trunks, though. Only top up to the level the trunks are now, or you can suffocate and kill the trees.

Hope that helps.

Lee The Garden Ninja